In memory of Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, née Kathleen Erin Hogg (b. June 3, 1939 in Alexandria, Louisiana, U.S.A – d. July 6, 2007 in Princeton, Minnesota, U.S.A), was a U.S. writer, pioneered the historical romance genre with the 1972 publication of her novel The Flame and the Flower.

Her debut novel, The Flame and the Flower, was rejected by agents and hardcover publishers as being too long at 600 pages. Rather than follow the advice of the rejection letters and rewrite the novel, Woodiwiss instead submitted it to paperback publishers. The first publisher on her list, Avon, quickly purchased the novel and arranged an initial 500,000 print run. The Flame and the Flower was revolutionary, featuring an epic historical romance with a strong heroine and actual sex scenes. This novel, published in 1972, sold over 2.3 million copies in its first four years of publication and is credited with spawning the modern romance genre, becoming the first romance novel "to [follow] the principals into the bedroom." The success of this novel prompted a new style of writing romance, concentrating primarily on historical fiction tracking the monogamous relationship between helpless heroines and the hero who rescued her, even if he had been the one to place her in danger. The romance novels which followed in her example featured longer plots, more controversial situations and characters, and more intimate and steamy sex scenes.

Woodiwiss published twelve best-selling romance novels, with over thirty-six million copies in print. Woodiwiss was known for the quality of her novels rather than the quantity of works she published. She often took four to five years to write a single novel. In some cases, Woodiwiss attributed the lag in publication time to personal and health issues, while in others she confessed to having suffered burnout and needing a rest to recover her interest in writing.

To read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/20902671/

Comments

[snowmore.livejournal.com]

Ms. Woodiwiss is one of my favourite historical romance writers. I've read nearly all of her books, and even had to re-purchase a couple that my mother had given away for someone's yardsale.

Shanna was the first novel I read by her and I went searching for others. It was always a treat to find a new novel in print. Bless Avon for publishing her work.

One of my other favourite historical romances popped into mind. In my opinion, The Bronze Horseman (http://www.amazon.ca/Bronze-Horseman-Paullina-Simons/dp/0061031127/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246920532&sr=8-1), by Paullina Simons, is a fantastic novel. She has written two sequels. I love Ms. Simons' work as she does not confine herself to romance.

Thank you for the walk down memory lane. :)

[wie-gehts.livejournal.com]

I adore Kathleen E Woodiwiss, two of my all time favorite novels are "A Rose in Winter" and "Shanna" (then again, I pretty much love all of her writings ...).

[tangerine-haze.livejournal.com]

What a great author. I didn't know she started the birth of the "trashy romance" novels that I love so much. Thanks for sharing the information about her.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Often I found that KEW was the first romance writer for a lot of women. she was for me with The Wolf and the Dove. Elisa

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Also I like very much A Rose in Winter, even if the fact that the heroine didn't recognize his lover (dark and hood... I don't know if are enough) was not so realistic. But then, probably I wasn't reading it for realism ;-) Elisa

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Yes, and for this reason she will always be the Queen of Romance. Elisa